Georgia chooses company to write standardized test

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia will pay more than $107 million for the development of a new statewide standardized test, replacing the CRCT and EOCT exams taken by elementary and high school students.

The state Department of Education says students will first take the Georgia Milestones tests in 2014 and 2015. The tests will be more difficult to meet Common Core standards and move entirely online within the next five years.

State School Superintendent John Barge says the change will better prepare Georgia students to compete with other states.

Georgia officials were on a tight deadline to select a company to write a test after the state dropped out of a consortium developing an exam in July. State officials said then that they would find a more affordable rate than $29.50 per student.